Bowel cancers accounted for most of the total cancer expenditure, followed by nonmelanoma skin cancer, prostate cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukaemia and breast cancer.

In addition to cancer treatment costs, another $332 million was spent on national population screening programs in 2008-09, up from $184 million in 2000-01.

Mr Harvey said the introduction of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program in 2006 accounted for most of the increase.

BreastScreen Australia cost $174.5 million in 2008-09, the National Cervical Screening Program was $125.2 million and the bowel cancer program was $32.5 million.

Mr Harvey said, depending on which screening program, up to 60 per cent of people who took part were diagnosed with a cancer.

"[The programs aim to] identify cancer when it's smaller and more treatable, and with certain cancers, it's about identifying issues before conditions become cancerous, such as cervical cancer," he said.

The institute is a Federal Government organisation, established to provide reliable information and statistics on health and welfare.

Money trap snags sufferers in need

SANDY Bay accountant Peter Sander wouldn't be around today if he hadn't forked out $120,000 for life-saving cancer treatment.

The 54-year-old urged the Federal Government to step up its consideration of a fund to help people access costly new drugs awaiting listing under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

A melanoma was first discovered on Mr Sander's back in 2010.

Peter Sander had to come up with $120,000 out of his own pocket to buy expensive new drugs to cure his cancer. Picture: Luke BowdenSource: Mercury

Despite surgery, scans last year revealed it had metastasised and further surgery was needed to remove brain tumours.

"I had surgery in June last year to remove the brain tumours. After that I had radiation. And after that, 12 new tumours grew in my brain," Mr Sander said.

"Obviously you can't operate on and remove 12 [so] my only option at that time was to get on the drug [Yervoy]."

While Yervoy has since been listed on the PBS, back then Mr Sanders had to pay $120,000 for a four-dose treatment.

"Even though it was only a small chance I think a 20 per cent chance that it would work, I said 20 per cent is better than zero," he said.

"And it saved my life. All the tumours in my brain disappeared. If I hadn't had the drug, I'd be dead now."

But not everyone needing new drugs can afford to fund their own treatment.

Royal Hobart Hospital oncology director Rosie Harrop said it was "the cruellest possible situation".

She said not only was it "inherently unfair" for those who could not afford lifesaving treatment, but those who did pay were not reimbursed if the drugs were eventually listed on the PBS.

She said self-funded treatments often meant "gambling the family home" and new PBS listings were not keeping pace with medical advancements.

Federal Health Minister Peter Dutton said he was examining international examples of funds that helped people get early access to drugs.

"There are real problems around getting access to trials and how Australia will deal with personalised medicines, particularly around cancers like melanoma, and also where small patient groups are involved," he said.

"The Government is determined to give early access wherever possible."